Blood pressure sphygmomanometer integrated into a common apparatus

ABSTRACT

A sphygmomanometer cuff assembly, air pump, pressure sensor and release valve are contained in an otherwise conventional apparatus. Alternative embodiments are illustrated and discussed herein. In one such embodiment the sphygmomanometer cuff is nominally positioned within the apparatus structure and is extended outside the apparatus housing during the measurement. In another embodiment, the cuff is always external of the apparatus structure and is easily connected to the apparatus at special ports during the measurement. In yet another embodiment, the cuff is always internal of the apparatus structure and is readily accessible through an aperture in the housing surface of the apparatus to permit the measurement to take place. Preferably, in each of these alternative embodiments a hinged or slidable door or panel protects the cuff or cuff ports between measurements. In all of the embodiments shown herein, the sphygmomanometer cuff is configured for receiving a human finger in circumambient pressured engagement using controlled air pressure to vary the cuff/finger engagement pressure in a precise manner. The apparatus may be any known system that provides a housing that is sufficiently large, a microprocessor for operating on cuff-derived data and a display for presenting blood pressure results in readable form. A typical apparatus for use herein may be for example, a video game controller, a kitchen appliance, an exercise machine, an office machine or a vehicle dashboard.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application takes priority from U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 60/857,099 filed Nov. 6, 2006 which is a continuation-in-partof U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/418,639 filed on May 5, 2006,which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/215,983filed Aug. 31, 2005 and now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,066,890.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to blood pressure monitoringdevices. More specifically, the invention hereof relates to an otherwiseconventional apparatus which incorporates a blood pressure finger cufffor monitoring blood pressure and transmitting measured data to aprocessor with which the apparatus is associated. Such data is thendisplayed on the display of the apparatus to provide an easilyunderstood representation of the measured parameters.

2. Background Art

Hypertension is one of modern society's most insidious diseases. Leftuntreated, it causes life-threatening problems includingatherosclerosis, strokes and aneurysms. Long-term hypertension canresult in diminished cardio-vascular and kidney function. Yet while highblood pressure is one of the simplest problems to detect in an entirelynon-invasive process, it is all too commonly undetected in a largeportion of the population. In the past twenty years or so, with theadvent of low-cost microprocessor chips and miniature digitalelectronics and electromagnetic devices, the self-measurement of bloodpressure by non-medical personnel has become more readily available.Nevertheless, blood pressure sphygmomanometers are still toosophisticated for a large segment of the population. Even those who areentirely capable of operating such devices tend to put them away indrawers and other out of the way places where they often remain mostlyforgotten and unused.

It would be highly advantageous to the early detection of hypertensionand thus to the general health of the population if there were a way toprovide prolific availability of blood pressure monitoring devices thatwere readily accessible and even easier to use than currently availabledigital sphygmomanometers. Having a blood pressure sphygmomanometer atvirtually every processor-controlled apparatus with a pressure cuffalways immediately adjacent to each such apparatus, would go a long wayto serving such an advantageous function. Such is the purpose of thepresent invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention combines the blood pressure sphygmomanometer withmany commonly available devices of the modern world. Moreover, theinvention incorporates the sphygmomanometer cuff into such devices in amanner which makes it extremely simple and convenient to initiate andcarry out the blood pressure measurement process. Three alternativeembodiments are illustrated and discussed herein. In one such embodimentthe sphygmomanometer cuff is nominally positioned within the apparatusstructure and is extended outside the apparatus housing during themeasurement. In another embodiment, the cuff is always external of theapparatus structure and is easily connected to the apparatus at specialports during the measurement. In yet another embodiment, the cuff isalways internal of the apparatus structure and is readily accessiblethrough an aperture in the housing surface of the apparatus to permitthe measurement to take place. Preferably, in each of these alternativeembodiments a hinged or slidable door or panel protects the cuff or cuffports between measurements. In all of the embodiments shown herein, thesphygmomanometer cuff is configured for receiving a human finger incircumambient pressured engagement using controlled air pressure to varythe cuff/finger engagement pressure in a precise manner.

In a well-known manner used in blood pressure sphygmomanometers of allkinds, the pressure of the cuff/finger engagement is initially increaseduntil arterial vessel pulsation is beyond cutoff (total occlusion of theartery). The cuff pressure is then slowly decreased until firstdetection of arterial vessel pulsation (commonly known as KorotkoffPhase I). The corresponding cuff pressure at this point will besubstantially equal to systolic blood pressure which is one significantparameter to be monitored. As cuff pressure continues to be decreased,arterial vessel pulsations will eventually become undetectable throughthe cuff because of the lack of adequate cuff pressure to sense thosepulsations (commonly known as Korotkoff Phase V). The pressure of thecuff at this point will be substantially equal to diastolic bloodpressure which is another significant parameter to be monitored.Moreover, the frequency of pulsations sensed between the systolic anddiastolic pressures is measured and will be substantially equal to theheartbeat rate or pulse rate which is also a parameter of somesignificance to be monitored. These two cuff pressures and the pulsationfrequency are the measured parameter data of the process andcorresponding digital data are sent to a processor with which theapparatus is already associated.

Computer software well-known in the art, can then utilize this digitaldata (typically in binary form) to create a suitable display of themeasured parameters on the built-in display of the apparatus. Otherfunctions can also be carried out such as recording the data,graphically plotting data over numerous measurements and communicatingthe data to others such as by means of the internet for example bye-mail to pre-assigned medical personnel.

The principal advantage of the present invention is therefore clearlythe proliferation of a simple and convenient way for the great number ofapparatus users to have the benefits of frequent blood pressuremonitoring. Moreover, because the blood pressure device can be readilyintegrated into many known systems, this clearly beneficialhealth-related device can be enjoyed by many apparatus users and theirfamilies with relatively little investment. Additionally, society as awhole will benefit from the likely increase in the early detection ofhypertension and the resulting timely treatment thereof and preventionof related diseases. Thus it is believed that the present invention hasthe potential of leading to a profound change in the number of earlydetected hypertensive individuals.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various embodiments, features and advances of the present inventionwill be understood more completely hereinafter as a result of a detaileddescription thereof in which reference will be made to the followingdrawings:

FIG. 1 is a view of a generic video game controller having an integratedblood pressure measurement device in accordance with one example of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the access panel and contained finger cuffof the video game controller of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 through 7 are various views of a first embodiment of theinvention in which a sphygmomanometer blood pressure cuff is selectivelyejected from within a housing of a known apparatus for blood pressuremeasurement and showing attendant devices for applying occludingpressure to a human finger and releasing the pressure in a precisemanner;

FIG. 8 is a view of a second embodiment of the invention in which asphygmomanometer blood pressure cuff is selectively affixed to ports atthe exterior of a video game controller or other known apparatus for themeasurement of blood pressure;

FIG. 9 is a view of a third embodiment of the invention in which asphygmomanometer blood pressure cuff is fixedly positioned within thehousing of a video game controller or other known apparatus and isaccessible through at least one aperture in the housing for performingthe measurement of blood pressure;

FIG. 10 is a view of a vehicle interior showing an example of how thefirst embodiment hereof could be used in conjunction with the dashboardof a vehicle;

FIG. 11 is a view of a kitchen appliance providing an integrated bloodpressure cuff and blood pressure measurement device;

FIG. 12 is a view of an office machine providing a blood pressure fingercuff and blood pressure measurement device;

FIG. 13 is a view of an exercise machine providing a blood pressurefinger cuff and blood pressure measurement device;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a blood pressure device/known apparatusinterface which may be employed in the present invention; and

FIG. 15 is a graphical representation of the type of measured dataderived from an integral blood pressure measurement device hereof forcalculation of blood pressure based upon the oscillometric technique.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the accompanying figures, it will be seen that a firstembodiment of the present invention is integrated into a video gamecontroller 10 which comprises a housing 12, click buttons 13 and 15 andcontrol devices 14. It will be understood that the precise configurationof the game controller hereof may be varied to virtually any of the manyconventional designs. Therefore the shape, location and number of clickbuttons, the control device and the shape of the housing are all shownherein as illustrative only and should not be deemed limiting of thescope hereof. However, what is a significant improvement overconventional video game controllers now follows.

As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a hinged door 16 is provided on the side ofvideo game controller housing 12. Hinged door 16, when opened about ahinge 17, leads to the interior of housing 12 where a sphygmomanometer21 and its cuff assembly 18 are located. As will be hereafter more fullydescribed, upon activation of the sphygmomanometer 21, cuff assembly 18extends through door 16 to the exterior of the controller housing asshown best in FIG. 3. This extension of the cuff assembly is facilitatedby folding door 16 about hinge 17 until it is in alignment with an innerdoor stage 19 which is, in turn, extended beyond the housing 12 androtated about its hinge 20 until the door assembly is fully rotatedabout 270 degrees into a rectangular recess 22 in the bottom surface 24of the housing as shown in FIG. 3 in particular. When the cuff assembly18 is fully extended into the position shown in FIG. 3, the cuffassembly is in suitable position for insertion of a person's extendedfinger for measurement of blood pressure and pulse rate. The assemblymay then be re-inserted into the housing and the door assembly rotatedback into position for closure of the housing and normal, conventionalusage of the video game controller 10.

The sphygmomanometer 21 including pressure cuff assembly 18 is shown inFIG. 4 as it sits within the housing 12 and the cuff assembly andattendant components are shown in detail in FIGS. 5 to 7. As seen inthose figures, the sphygmomanometer 21 comprises an inflatable air bag25 within the annular interior of cuff assembly 18. Also formingsphygmomanometer 21 are solenoid 26, extender arm 28, motorized air pump30, pressure sensor 32 and release valve 34. Solenoid 26 and extenderarm 28 provide the ability to extend the cuff assembly 18 out of thehousing 12 as shown in FIG. 3. Air pump 30 provides the pressurized airto selectively expand air bag 25 to forcefully grasp a finger protrudingthrough cuff assembly 18. Pressure sensor 32 senses the pressure at theair bag/finger surface interface and release valve 34 releases air fromthe air bag 25 at a rate that is commensurate with sensor 32oscillometrically sensing the systolic and diastolic blood pressure atthe inserted finger.

FIG. 8 illustrates a second embodiment video game controller 40 having ahousing 42. In this embodiment, the housing provides jacks 46 and 48 towhich an external cuff assembly 50 having an air bag 52, is attached byconnectors 54 and 56. A connector brace 58 mates with a brace receptacle60 to further support the cuff assembly 50. The remaining components ofthe sphygmomanometer (less extender arm 28 and solenoid 26 which aren'trequired in this second embodiment) are interior to housing 42. Once thecuff assembly 50 is attached to the controller 40, the operation of thesecond embodiment is identical to that of the first embodiment 10. Ajack cover may be employed to protect the jacks 46 and 48 when thesphygmomanometer is not in use.

FIG. 9 illustrates a third illustrative embodiment video game controller70 having a housing 72. In this embodiment a sphygmomanometer is fullycontained in a fixed position interior of housing 72 which has apertures76 axially aligned on opposed side surfaces of the housing. Withinapertures 76 is positioned a cuff assembly 78 and an air bag 80 toreceive a person's finger for blood pressure and pulse rate measurementas previously described.

FIGS. 10-13 illustrate other types of otherwise conventional apparatusinto which an embodiment of the inventive blood pressure measurementdevice hereof may be readily integrated to provide a unique newcombination. FIG. 10 shows a vehicle interior 90 having a dashboard 92from which a finger cuff 94 may be extended. As used herein, the term“vehicle” means a car, a truck, an SUV, a bus, a train, an airliner anda ship or boat. FIG. 11 shows a kitchen appliance (here a microwaveoven) 95 having a finger cuff 95. FIG. 12 shows an office machine (herea facsimile machine) 98 having a console 99 from which a finger cuff 100may be extended. FIG. 13 shows an exercise machine 102 having a console104 from which a finger cuff 106 may be extended for taking bloodpressure data from the exerciser.

Each known or conventional apparatus (video game controller, vehicleinterior, kitchen appliance, office machine, exercise machine) meetcertain criteria for receiving at least one embodiment of the inventionfor integration therein. Each has a housing console or the like which issufficiently large to accept the blood pressure measurement devicehereof. Each has a microprocessor of sufficient power and speed toderive blood pressure and pulse rate parameters from data provided fromuse of the attendant pressure cuff. Each has a sufficient display oroperates with a display or television to present the parameters in areadily understandable format. Virtually any known apparatus which meetsthese criteria may be suitable to be combined with a blood pressuremeasurement embodiment described herein. Therefore, the presentinvention should be deemed to encompass the combination of a bloodpressure measurement device as those described herein, with any knownapparatus which has these features. Each such known apparatus may beprovided with an activating button or switch to initiate a bloodpressure measurement.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the sphygmomanometer apparatus interfaceshowing that the air bag is connected through air tubes to the pump, thepressure sensor and release valve. These components, in turn, receivecommands from and provide pressure data to a microprocessor through anMCU. FIG. 15 shows the typical data transmitted to the microprocessorduring the blood pressure measurement and from which the systolic,diastolic blood pressure and pulse rate parameters are obtained.

It will now be understood that the present invention provides a novel,convenient way of measuring and tracking health-based parameters byutilizing a modified known apparatus that facilitates obtaining suchparameters. While various alternative embodiments have been disclosedherein, other variations will now be perceived by those having thebenefit of the description herein. Accordingly, the scope hereof is notlimited by the illustrative features described herein, but only by theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. The combination comprising: a known apparatus having a housing, adata processing device and a data display; and a blood pressuremeasurement device integrated within said housing and having a bloodpressure cuff accessible through an access panel in said housing, saidmeasurement device being connected to said data processing device forderiving blood pressure parameters based on data obtained from saidblood pressure cuff, said parameters being displayed on said datadisplay.
 2. The combination recited in claim 1 wherein said knownapparatus is selected from the group consisting of a video gamecontroller, an electronically-controlled kitchen appliance, anelectronically-controlled office machine, an electronically-controlledexercise machine, and a dashboard or console of anelectronically-enabled vehicle.
 3. A video game controller comprising: ahousing; a blood pressure measurement device contained within saidhousing; and an access door on said housing for gaining access to saidblood pressure measurement device for measuring blood pressure of a userof said video game controller.
 4. A video game controller comprising: ahousing; a health parameter measurement device contained within saidhousing; and an access door on said housing for gaining access to saidmeasurement device for measuring said health parameter of a user of saidvideo game controller.